Denies racist attack: Alec Baldwin (pictured with wife Hilaria Thomas today) denies being racist in an altercation with a photographer

Alec Baldwin has denied making a racist attack on a photographer but admits shouting abuse at a woman reporter during the altercation with paparazzi in New York.

Photographer G.N. Miller claims Baldwin yelled racial epithets and other insults while he was trying to take photographs of the actor outside his Manhattan apartment on Sunday.

New York Post reporter Tara Palmeri also says he shouted abuse at her as she tried to ask him questions about his wife Hilaria's lawsuit involving her work as a yoga instructor.

Today Baldwin, 54, looking particularly drained and worn out, admitted that he had shouted abuse at the pair, yelling: 'I hope you choke to death.'

In an interview with Gothamist he argued that while it was a hateful comment, it was not one meant to be taken seriously.

The 30 Rock star allegedly called Miller, who is black, a racial epithet, a 'coon', 'a drug dealer', a 'crackhead' and made disparaging remarks about his mother, according to Miller's police statement.

The New York Post claims that
the comments were recorded on Ms Palmeri’s tape recorder and that the
tape had been sent to police for investigation.

Baldwin admitted today that he has struggled to deal with the press.

He told Gothamist that: ‘The one
element of culpability I have is I did let it get to me, and I have been
confrontational with them.’

The
actor filed an assault complaint on Monday after the incident
while the photographer later filed a harassment complaint.

Coffee run: Stepping out for a stroll to get a coffee, Baldwin looked particularly worn out today (right) compared to yesterday (left) as he admitted that he struggles to deal with the press hounding him, admitting that he has 'been confrontational with them' in the past

'Choke to death': Alec Baldwin was questioned by New York Port reporter Tara Palmeri and admits telling her to 'choke to death' but denies saying a racist remark to photographer G.N Miller

Harassment claims: Alec Baldwin filed an allegation of assault against New York Post reporter Tara Palmeri, pictured left, and photographer G.N Miller but they also accused him of the same offence after the incident

Baldwin said that Miller had followed him as he walked along the street and kept putting his camera right into the actor’s face, making him feel threatened.

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Baldwin said: ‘I want to say on the record that I've had a lot of experience with this, and I've never had someone do it as blatantly as him.’

The New York Post reported that investigators were taking the allegations ‘very seriously’ and that Baldwin had been questioned by hate crimes detectives about the altercation.

'Outrageous' allegations: Baldwin refutes the allegations he made racist remarks toward Miller on Sunday but admitted that he did say to G.N. Miller and New York Post reporter Tara Palmeri: 'I hope you choke to death'

Complaints made: A reporter tries to get comment from Baldwin yesterday in New York after he filed an assault complaint, while Miller filed a harassment complaint

Hate crime detectives: Police are said to be taking allegations 'very seriously' that Baldwin called Miller a 'coon' and a 'crack head'

Baldwin refused to comment to a mass of reporters outside his apartment building today.

Pursued: Baldwin had been approached on Sunday to comment on a lawsuit against his wife due to harsh conditions a New Yorker endured in her yoga class in January

Before the altercation on Sunday morning, Baldwin had been approached by a New York Post reporter and was asked for a comment about the lawsuit against his wife, Hilaria Thomas.

The Post claims that Baldwin then grabbed the female reporter by her arm and said: 'I want you to choke to death.'

She allegedly recorded the comment and played it to police.

His wife, Ms Thomas took to Twitter to defend her husband.

She posted: ‘Shame on anyone who says my husband is racist. If you could only see/hear the dangerous things paparazzi will do & the lies to get a “story”.’

Ms Thomas is being sued by New Yorker Spencer Wolff due to harsh conditions he endured during a yoga class she conducted, it was revealed last week.

Mr Wolff says he suffered ‘serious’ and ‘severe’ injuries and ‘emotional upset’ during her January 15 class at Yoga Vida in Greenwich Village, according to the lawsuit he filed in Manhattan Supreme Court.

The lawsuit does not specify exactly how Wolff was injured.

Wolff does, however, cite the ‘overcrowded’ class and Ms Baldwin's ‘negligence’ as two of the causes of his alleged injuries.

Ms Baldwin, 28, has been teaching yoga since 2005, according to Yoga Vida’s website.